How To Use

The Set-Up Process

Getting the Heart Hugger on and ready to use is simple. Most patients will need the assistance of a nurse or loved one to assist, but putting it on is easy and quick. It’s best to try on and adjust the Heart Hugger before the operation so it’s ready to go right after surgery. Details on how to correctly size and fit Heart Hugger can be found on our sizing and fitting page. Similar to a vest or backpack, you put the Heart Hugger on one arm at a time. Here are the quick steps for helping a patient get situated in a Heart Hugger:

Detach the shoulder strap from the handle on one side and slide the handle under the patient’s arm. Bring the shoulder strap over the shoulder and reattach it. Repeat this process on the other arm.

Adjust the straps around the chest as needed so the handles are one hand-width apart for the patient so they can easily grasp them together single-handedly

Adjust the straps over the shoulders so the fit is comfortable and the handles rest on the patient mid-chest

Fasten the velcro retention strap to keep the handles in place

When to Use the Heart Hugger

Once the patient is situated, they can use the Heart Hugger whenever they cough, sneeze or make movements that are strenuous or uncomfortable. The encircling support provides relief when moving or breathing deeply.

Adjustments for Women

On women, the Heart Hugger can fit a bit differently depending on stature and breast size. Heart Hugger can be adjusted easily to accommodate different body types. Handles should be adjusted to set just above the breasts with the handles remaining as parallel as possible. To accomplish this, angle the wide chest strap at a slight upward angle from back to front and use the retention strap to keep the handles situated. If the patient finds the device binding under the armpits, the chest strap can be moved down the back further keeping the angle point upward and the handles on top of the breasts. The handles may flare out a bit at the bottom, which is fine so long as the patient can still grasp both handles with one hand.

"I am impressed that as I have followed up my patients in the office, they have continued to comment that the Heart Hugger appliance made their convalescences much easier at home, and that they have continued to use it beyond hospitalization."

Michael F Teodori, M.D.

Pediatric & Adult Cardiovascular Surgery,

"I strongly believe that the support harness has played the major role in preventing sternal wound separation."

David G. Eilertson, M.D.

Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery,

"I greatly appreciated Heart Hugger during my recovery period after my own open heart surgery. I found it made me feel a lot more comfortable."

Vernon Stafford, M.D.

"I have used the support harness in over 100 consecutive open heart surgical patients during the last two years. I clearly am in favor of using Heart Hugger on a routine basis."

Ravi Koopot, M.D.

Cardiovascular Surgery,

"Heart Hugger helps my patients get well faster by giving them the confidence to cough, knowing they will not suffer from doing so."

J. Marvin Smith, M.D.

Cardiovascular Surgeon,

"...Since the patient can wear the harness it has the advantage of being available when the need arises, for the instance, during therapy, or when the patient wakes up at night."

Peg Meisler

Physical Therapist,

"I recommend and prescribe it for all my open heart patients. They testify that their recoveries have been much quicker while using Heart Hugger compared to prior surgeries when the device was not available."

S. Vathayanon, M.D.

Cardiac, Vascular & Thoracic Surgery,

"Over half our patients are released by the fifth post-operative day and many by the fourth post-operative day. I believe this is due in a large part to the fact that we have a device available which allows the patient to continue aggressive coughing and deep breathing at home, with much less discomfort."

David G. Ellertson, M.D.

Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery,

"It gave me more confidence to do things on my own. I should've bought it sooner."

Laura P.

"They were impressed when I showed them how it worked and how I did not feel the pain when doing breathing exercises."